Educator Development

The International Early Childhood Education Development and Research Institute (IECEDRI) has a broad scope for educator development, encompassing activities to improve knowledge, skills, well-being, and professionalism of early childhood educators.

1. Pre-Service Teacher Education
  • Curriculum design for teacher training colleges
  • Accreditation of pre-service ECE programs
  • Partnerships with universities for research and practicum integration
  • Development of teacher qualification frameworks
Special Needs Education Workshops (Ongoing)
  • Colombo District: Kaduwela, Ranala
    📅 21 June 2025
  • Kandy District: Sri Pushpadana Hall, Kandy City
    📅 19 July 2025
2. In-Service Professional Development
  • Design and delivery of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) programs
  • Short courses and micro-credentials (e.g., online and in-person)
  • Workshops, webinars, and summer institutes
  • Specialized training in inclusive education, trauma-informed care, STEM, etc.
3. Mentorship and Coaching
  • Developing a national/institutional mentorship framework
  • Training and certification of ECE mentors and coaches
  • Ongoing support systems for novice teachers
  • Peer coaching models and reflection cycles
4. Teacher Leadership and Career Pathways
  • Creating professional growth ladders and leadership roles
  • Action research and classroom-based innovation projects
  • Recognition programs (e.g., teacher excellence awards)
  • Leadership training for head teachers and coordinators
5. Reflective Practice and Research Engagement
  • Training educators to use data and observation in reflective practice
  • Promoting practitioner-led research and action research
  • Encouraging publication of case studies and field experiences
  • Facilitating teacher learning communities (TLCs)
6. Digital Literacy and Innovation
  • Capacity-building for using ICT in early learning settings
  • Training on digital pedagogy and digital documentation tools
  • Integration of EdTech in ECE classrooms
  • Online teaching skills for hybrid/blended learning
7. Well-being and Mental Health Support
  • Workshops on educator stress management and resilience
  • Creating support networks for emotional and mental wellness
  • Workplace wellness initiatives in preschools and ECE centers
  • Advocating for better working conditions and professional respect
8. Policy, Standards, and Advocacy Training
  • Educator training in national/international ECE policies
  • Understanding teacher codes of ethics and professional standards
  • Building advocacy skills to influence education policy
  • Empowering educators to participate in policy dialogue and system reform
9. Inclusive Education and Diversity Competence
  • Training on differentiated instruction for diverse learners
  • Competence in teaching children with special needs
  • Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching
  • Anti-bias and gender-inclusive pedagogies
10. Monitoring and Evaluation of Educator Impact
  • Developing teacher appraisal and performance evaluation tools
  • Supporting the use of classroom quality tools (e.g., CLASS, ECERS)
  • Research on teacher effectiveness and its link to child outcomes
  • Documenting success stories and scaling best practices

Policy & Advocacy

IECEDRI is committed to advancing early childhood education by informing policy, driving advocacy, and building partnerships to create systemic change for children and families.

  • Conducting policy research and making recommendations for national ECE standards
  • Advocating for equitable funding and access to quality early learning for all
  • Engaging with government agencies, NGOs, and community leaders
  • Organizing policy briefs, roundtables, and awareness campaigns
  • Supporting frameworks for child rights and protection
  • Promoting evidence-based policy and decision making in early childhood education
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Global Outreach

IECEDRI connects with partners and professionals worldwide to share knowledge, build research alliances, and promote excellence in early childhood education across borders.

  • International research collaborations and networks
  • Hosting and participating in global ECE conferences and forums
  • Cross-cultural educator exchange and development programs
  • Supporting policy and practice in diverse global contexts
  • Sharing resources, toolkits, and innovations worldwide
Recent Partnerships:
  • 🌏 KONOYUBI (Japan)
  • 🌏 DTPE CAMPUS
  • 🌏 OWOP
  • 🌏 International Institute of Cosmetology Sciences
  • 🌏 Agricultural Engineering Research and Development Institute

Fellowships & Internships

To promote equity, innovation, and capacity building in early childhood education globally, IECEDRI offers scholarships and internships to diverse, high-potential groups in the field.

1. Early Childhood Educators from Underserved and Marginalized Communities
  • Rural, remote, or low-income areas
  • Indigenous communities
  • Refugee and displaced populations
  • Post-conflict or fragile settings
✅ Purpose: Build local capacity and ensure that educators working in the most challenging contexts have access to high-quality training and research exposure.
2. Young Researchers and Graduate Students in ECE Fields
  • Master's and Ph.D. candidates in education, child development, psychology, or social work
  • Early-career scholars conducting ECE-related research
✅ Purpose: Foster the next generation of ECE researchers and connect academic knowledge with real-world practice.
3. Pre-Service Teachers and Student Interns in Teacher Training Programs
  • Students in colleges or universities pursuing early childhood education degrees
  • Candidates seeking practicum or field placement opportunities
✅ Purpose: Strengthen pre-service preparation and promote evidence-based, reflective teaching practices.
4. Educators with Disabilities
  • Teachers with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities who are working or studying in the field of ECE
✅ Purpose: Promote inclusion and diversify the ECE workforce with individuals who can advocate from lived experience.
5. Women in Leadership and Management Roles in ECE
  • Emerging leaders from early childhood centers, ministries, or NGOs
  • Women aspiring to be ECE policymakers or researchers
✅ Purpose: Address gender disparities in leadership, particularly in decision-making and policy influence in the ECE sector.
6. Educators Working in Crisis-Affected or Emergency Settings
  • Professionals supporting children in refugee camps, war zones, or natural disaster areas
✅ Purpose: Provide specialized training and research opportunities in trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, and resilience-based education.
7. Internationals from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
  • Scholars, educators, or government officials from LMICs with limited access to global training opportunities
✅ Purpose: Bridge the global equity gap and strengthen global south participation in early childhood discourse.
8. Policy Fellows and Government Technical Staff in ECE
  • Professionals in ministries or agencies tasked with ECE curriculum, assessment, or policy development
✅ Purpose: Build evidence-based policymaking capacity through internships, secondments, or fellowships.
9. Professionals Transitioning into ECE from Other Sectors
  • Social workers, health professionals, or educationists moving into early childhood roles
✅ Purpose: Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and bring diverse perspectives into ECE.
10. Educators Specializing in Inclusive Education or Special Needs
  • Teachers or researchers focused on children with disabilities, learning difficulties, or developmental delays
✅ Purpose: Build specialized human resources to support inclusive, rights-based education systems.

Capacity Building Workshops

IECEDRI offers a series of strategic capacity building workshops tailored to different stakeholders in the early childhood ecosystem. These workshops enhance skills, leadership, policy awareness, and research at local, national, and international levels.

🧑‍🏫 1. For Early Childhood Educators and Caregivers
Goal: Strengthen classroom practice, pedagogy, and child-centered learning.
  • Play-Based and Inquiry-Based Learning
  • Positive Discipline and Classroom Management
  • Inclusive Teaching for Children with Special Needs
  • Culturally Responsive and Anti-Bias Education
  • Supporting Early Literacy and Numeracy Development
  • Digital Tools for Early Childhood Learning
  • Socio-Emotional Learning in the Early Years
🎓 2. For Pre-Service Teachers and Interns
Goal: Build readiness for the classroom and introduce best practices.
  • Introduction to Child Development and Learning Theories
  • Reflective Practice and Professional Ethics in ECE
  • Child Observation and Assessment Techniques
  • Practicum Preparation and Documentation Skills
  • Working with Families and Communities
🧠 3. For School Leaders and Administrators
Goal: Strengthen leadership and institutional quality in ECE settings.
  • Instructional Leadership in Early Childhood Settings
  • Leading Inclusive and Equitable Early Childhood Programs
  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Classroom Monitoring
  • Staff Support, Mentoring, and Professional Growth
  • Creating Safe, Nurturing, and Child-Centered Environments
🧪 4. For Researchers and Academics
Goal: Build ECE research capacity and innovation.
  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in ECE
  • Child-Friendly Research Ethics and Protocols
  • Action Research and Teacher-Led Inquiry
  • Research-to-Policy Translation Techniques
  • Writing for Publication in ECE Journals
🏛️ 5. For Policymakers and Government Officials
Goal: Improve systems-level understanding and evidence-based policy.
  • Designing and Evaluating National ECE Policies
  • Financing Models and Costing of Early Childhood Programs
  • ECE Quality Standards and Monitoring Frameworks
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration in Early Childhood Development
  • Early Childhood Rights, Equity, and Global Commitments (e.g., SDGs, NCF, ECD Targets)
🏘️ 6. For Parents, Families, and Community Leaders
Goal: Promote home learning and child development awareness.
  • Parenting for Early Learning and School Readiness
  • Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children
  • Understanding Developmental Milestones at Home
  • Father Engagement and Positive Parenting Practices
  • Community-Based Early Learning Initiatives
🌍 7. For NGO Leaders and ECE Program Implementers
Goal: Support implementation, monitoring, and scale-up of ECE programs.
  • Program Design and Curriculum Adaptation for Diverse Contexts
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) in ECE Projects
  • Fundraising and Grant Writing for ECE Initiatives
  • Scaling Innovations in Early Childhood Services
  • Training of Trainers (ToT) for Local ECE Facilitators
📈 Key Features of IECEDRI Workshops:
  • Interactive and practical with real-world classroom case studies
  • Modular format (e.g., 1-day, 3-day, week-long workshops)
  • Hybrid delivery (online and in-person options)
  • Accreditation or certification for professional recognition
  • Follow-up coaching or mentoring to support implementation

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